A shoe is an item
of footwear intended to protect
and comfort the human foot
while doing various activities.
Shoes are also used as an item
of decoration. The design of
shoes has varied enormously
through time and from culture
to culture, with appearance
originally being tied to
function. Additionally, fashion
has often dictated many design
elements, such as whether
shoes have very high heels or
flat ones. Contemporary
footwear varies widely in style,
complexity and cost. Basic
sandals may consist of only a
thin sole and simple strap.
High fashion shoes may be
made of very expensive
materials in complex
construction and sell for
thousands of dollars a pair.
Other shoes are for very
specific purposes, such
as boots designed specifically
for mountaineering or skiing.
Traditionally, shoes have been
made from leather, wood
or canvas, but are increasingly
made from rubber, plastics, and
other petrochemical-derived
materials.
The foot contains more bones
than any other single part of
the body. Though it has
evolved over hundreds of
thousands of years in relation
to vastly varied t \